Increase Womens Access to VBAC!

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  • Send To:
    American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
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The purpose of this petition is to let ACOG know that women desire greater access to VBAC, or vaginal birth after Cesarean. The recent NIH VBAC consensus conference has stated "Given the available evidence, TOL is a reasonable option for many pregnant women with a prior low transverse uterine incision....When both TOL and ERCD are medically equivalent options, a shared decision making process should be adopted and, whenever possible, the womans preference should be honored.....We are concerned about the barriers that women face in accessing clinicians and facilities that are able and willing to offer TOL. Given the level of evidence for the requirement for immediately available surgical and anesthesia personnel in current guidelines, we recommend that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists reassess this requirement relative to other obstetrical complications of comparable risk, risk stratification, and in light of limited physician and nursing resources." We, the undersigned feel that VBAC is unreasonably and unfairly restricted because of the current ACOG recommendation that a surgeon and anesthesiologist be 'immediately available' during a TOLAC (trail of labor after Cesarean). Far too many women are undergoing unwanted and probably unnecessary Cesarean surgery because of this. We would like to note that the likelihood of the baby dieing during a TOLAC is the same as the likelihood of the baby dieing during a nulliparous (first time moms) labor, however ACOG doesn't recommend a surgeon and anesthesiologist be 'immediately available' for first time moms going through labor. We find this discriminatory, inconsistent and unfair. We plead for ACOG to change the recommendations so that ALL low risk VBAC mothers across America can have the chance to give birth to their babies in a normal, safe, healthy way (VBAC).

1280 Signatures

  • Lori S
    • Comments
    • Women are being butchered so that doctors and hospitals make more money, and so that the woman has ALL the risk; it is wrong. I know of several women who have opted for unassisted home births in order to have a VBAC as they were so disgusted with their doctors. Women WILL prevail, one way or another. It is important that women have safe birth options that are not dictated by the bottom lines of doctors and hospitals.
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Mother of 8, grandma to 12 (so far), and advocate for women!
  • Kelsey M
    • Comments
    • I agree completely.
    • zip code
    • 76903
  • Blair G
    • zip code
    • 30032
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • mom of 2--1 baby by c/s and one by VBAC
  • Lisa B
  • Jenna W
  • Rebekah Breech E
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBA2C Hopeful!
  • Andrea M
    • Comments
    • I had a VBAC without complication, but I was forced to receive an unwanted epidural because of the ACOG requirements.
    • zip code
    • 91214
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Dorothy H
    • zip code
    • 73160
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBA2C mom
  • Alison C
    • zip code
    • 10533
  • Christina B
  • Amie Q
    • zip code
    • 20194
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • hopeful future VBAC mom
  • Sarah E
  • Kelly P
    • Comments
    • В
    • zip code
    • 12477
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Jennifer D
  • Becky B
  • Traci B
    • Comments
    • Very glad my dr gave me the option of a TOLAC. Wish all women had the same options.
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • TOLAC/CBAC mom
  • Katie M
    • zip code
    • 58203
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • CBAC mom
  • Christina C
  • Sally B
    • Comments
    • I totally agree!!!
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • A proud mum to Lily
  • Jocelyn B
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Melinda K
    • zip code
    • 55104
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Narcisa S
  • Gina R
  • Kate R
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC hopeful
  • Travis S
    • Comments
    • My wife had to drive nearly 2 hours to be able to give birth to our son when we have a perfectly capable hospital only 5 minutes from our house. Change the guidlines, ACOG!
    • zip code
    • 95531
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC dad
  • Barbara J L
    • zip code
    • 04015
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC hopeful
  • Mindy K
    • zip code
    • 30458
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC Mom
  • Sandy C
    • zip code
    • 97355
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBA2C Mom
  • Abbie S
  • Tracey J
    • Comments
    • Change guidelines to lift bans!
    • zip code
    • 95970
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • c-section mom
  • Kathleen P
    • Comments
    • in August of 2009 I had a wonderful and successful VBA3C after an inverted T. i am so grateful to a provider who respected my desire to choose vbac and supported my decision. if i can do this, why can't more women significantly more low risk than me find a truly supportive provider?
    • zip code
    • 76244
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • vba3c after inverted T
  • Michele P
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • CBAC mom
  • Ana L
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC hopeful
  • Larissa P
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Lisa S
    • zip code
    • 35954
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • pregnant & I want a VBAC!
  • Samantha T
    • Comments
    • No one should have surgery forced on them!
    • zip code
    • 89523
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • will be attempting VBAC this summer
  • Laura C
    • Comments
    • I had a great experence having a V-Bac!
    • zip code
    • 85020
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Amber
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom!!!
  • Ashley A
  • Petra P
  • Inga J
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mum
  • Lisa P
    • zip code
    • 79928
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Crystal D
    • zip code
    • 01929
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • My son was born via c-section and I plan on having a VBAC with my second.
  • Tonya R
  • Wanda D
    • Comments
    • I had an unnecessary c-section for a "too big" 9lb 6oz baby, and then fought to have VBACs with my 11 pound girls. Everything was perfect, and all moms should be given the chance to VBAC.
    • zip code
    • 33709
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • 11 pound VBAC mom
  • Michelle M
    • Comments
    • I had a successful VBAC with a OB who practices evidence based medicine. Please encourage OB's to let birth happen and not be rushed. My VBAC helped me care for 2 young children physically and emotionally. It made breastfeeding easier and bonding so much better!
    • zip code
    • 33178
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Jenn M
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC hopeful
  • shilpa
  • Leslie W
    • Comments
    • The 'right' to chose has always been the American way
    • zip code
    • 45238
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned woman
  • Sophia B
    • Comments
    • The "immediately available" clause is way too restrictive and uneccessary given the statistical risks of VBAC vs. the benefits.
    • zip code
    • 51301
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom